Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery is thrilled to announce its 40th-anniversary celebration, marking four decades of remarkable contributions to the art world. Founded in Salzburg in 1983, the gallery has become a renowned platform for contemporary art, and to commemorate this milestone, an extraordinary exhibition will be held at both the Villa Kast and Salzburg Halle locations.

The exhibition, titled "1983 | 2023," presents a captivating journey through time, showcasing iconic artworks from the gallery's inception in 1983 alongside new and specially commissioned pieces created for this momentous occasion. This unique format enables visitors to witness the artistic momentum of the formative years while also experiencing the evolution of the gallery's program in the present day.

The 1980s marked a transformative period in the art world, characterized by the dynamic exchange between American and European contemporary art. Thaddaeus Ropac Salzburg played a pivotal role in capturing the essence of this era, featuring exhibitions that mirrored the diverse range of artistic practices and the vibrant atmosphere of the time. Notable events, such as the groundbreaking Joseph Beuys retrospective at the Guggenheim Museum in New York in 1979, the participation of Anselm Kiefer and Georg Baselitz representing Germany at the Venice Biennale in 1980, and Norman Rosenthal's influential exhibition "A New Spirit in Painting" at the Royal Academy in London in 1981, all contributed to shaping the artistic landscape.

During its early years, the gallery established a distinctive exhibition program that featured artists from the German-speaking world alongside prominent American artists. Visionary figures like Robert Rauschenberg, James Rosenquist, Alex Katz, Joseph Kosuth, and Elaine Sturtevant were showcased, alongside emerging talents such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, who signaled a new direction in contemporary art.

To commemorate its 40th anniversary, Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery has curated an extraordinary selection of major works from its founding years, bringing them back to Salzburg for this momentous occasion. These historic artworks engage in a dialogue with the gallery's current program, demonstrating the enduring impact of these artists on the gallery's history. Additionally, artists who have played a significant role in shaping the gallery's trajectory over the past four decades have been invited to present new and captivating works. Noteworthy participants include Tony Cragg, Sylvie Fleury, Adrian Ghenie, Lee Bul, Daniel Richter, Sean Scully, Imran Qureshi, and many others. Their creations are showcased alongside those of artists who have recently joined the gallery, including Alvaro Barrington, Lisa Brice, Mandy El-Sayegh, Han Bing, Rachel Jones, Martha Jungwirth, Megan Rooney, and Zadie Xa. The exhibition presents a multi-faceted and multi-generational collection, encompassing a wide variety of artistic media, each offering a unique vision and perspective on our current era, resonating with today's lived experiences and realities.

"1983 | 2023" invites visitors on a remarkable journey, inviting them to explore diverse perspectives on the past while embracing the multitude of current and ever-evolving artistic developments. By juxtaposing works from the gallery's founding years with those of the present, the exhibition creates a continuum that signifies an optimistic gaze towards the future and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.

The anniversary exhibition will officially open on Friday, 28 July 2023. The Villa Kast, located at Mirabellplatz 2, Salzburg, will host the opening ceremony at 6 pm, followed by the Salzburg Halle, situated at Vilniusstrasse 13, Salzburg, at 7.30 pm. Art enthusiasts and visitors alike are encouraged to attend this momentous event and witness the remarkable journey of Thaddaeus Ropac Gallery over the past 40 years. "1983 | 2023" promises to be a compelling celebration of art, creativity, and the enduring power of artistic expression.